Legacy of Colonel F.W. Toll, DSO, VD

In the 1930's Frederick Toll donated a large collection maps and papers to the State Library of Queensland, it is through this collection that we can uncover his significant career as a citizen-soldier.

Whilst a young accountant Fred Toll joined the Kennedy Regiment in Charters Towers, where he was commissioned on 2 February 1892 and promoted Captain in 1897.

In January 1900, Toll sailed with the 2nd Queensland Contingent for service in the Second Boer War, where he joined in the attempted occupation of South Africa; he returned home in December 1900.

Toll again left for South Africa in March 1901 with the 5th Contingent (Queensland Imperial Bushmen) and commanded troops in actions in the Cape, Orange River and the Transvaal. Whilst en-route, his wife Emma died suddenly at home, leaving the care of his two young children Fred and Stella to his parents-in-law. He returned to Queensland and in 1906 with his new wife, became the manager of Mt Molloy sawmill. Not ten years later he again volunteered to lead the 3rd Battalion, Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Forces (AN&MEF) to occupy German Papua New Guinea.

Not ten years later he again volunteered to lead the 3rd Battalion, Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Forces (AN&MEF) to occupy German Papua New Guinea. His papers detail the daily routine of the Garrison forces, and surveillance of the civilian population.

While Acting Administrator, Rabaul he was appointed to command the newly formed 31st Infantry Battalion. His son Frederick Vivian Toll who had also been part of the AN&MEF, was at the time serving on Gallipoli with the 15th Battalion, but sadly was killed 8 August 1915. Toll soon found himself back at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera and took on the task of bringing the Battalion up to strength before departing for the Middle East.

The Battalion orders, for October 1915 detail strict arrangements for the Queensland contingent's transfer by train to New South Wales and on to Broadmeadows Camp, Victoria, where they were joined by the other companies, before sailing for Egypt on board HMAT 'Wandilla'.
 

The Battalion was put to work guarding the Suez Canal, relieving the NZ Mounted Rifle Regiment of positions at Ferry Post (Ismailia), they then trained rigorously before departing for France and the Western Front. The 31st Battalion under the command of Fred Toll fought at Fromelles in July 1916 (where he earned the DSO), Bapaume in March 1917 and Polygon Wood that September.

Toll having been seriously injured and gassed at the Battle of Polygon Wood, was evacuated to England in January 1918, where he served out the remainder of his appointment.

 Further reading

• Service Record, Frederick William Toll
• Unit Diaries, 31st Battalion August 1915
• Australian Dictionary of Biography, Frederick William Toll
• OM70-43 Colonel Frederick William Toll Papers 1900-1918 - Maps and documents relating to the Boer War and World War I campaigns in New Guinea, France and Egypt.
• OM64-31/4 Fredrick William Toll 1900-1901 - Papers relating to the Second Boer War
• OM84-11 Major F. W. Toll Diary 1901-1902 - The diary details events from the arrival of troops in South Africa on 1 April 1901 until 8 May 1902 when the troops were paid off. The diary is accompanied by maps showing the movements of the unit while attached to General H. Plumber's column.
• M930 F. W. Toll papers - Includes original editions of The Wandilla Wonder vol. 1-4 and The 31st Recorder vol.1 no.1.
• 'Fight near Waakeestroom' The North Queensland Register, 3 March 1902, p.28
• 'Sudden death of Mrs F.W. Toll' The North Queensland Register, 11 March 1901, p.52